FIS MEDIA INFO: Marcel Looze appointed as FIS Snowboard Race Director

Oberhofen, 3rd May, 2006/ -- FIS is pleased to announce the appointment of Marcel Looze (NED) to the position of FIS Snowboard Race Director.

A number of highly qualified candidates applied for the position and after thorough consideration, FIS is delighted to appoint Marcel Looze, who will commence officially from 1st June, 2006. He will, however, also be present in his new position at the 45th International Ski Congress in Vilamoura/Algarve (POR) from 21st to 27th May, 2006.

Succeeding Alex Höller, who returns to the family business at the end of the 2005/2006 season, Marcel Looze (40) brings to his new role a diverse set of skills and experience with several sport disciplines. A member of the FIS Snowboard and Alpine Committees since 2000 and of the FIS Children and Youth Committee since 2003, Looze has also served as Manager of the Netherlands Olympic team in the 2006, 2004 and 2002 Olympic Games. In addition, he understands the challenges and responsibilities faced by event organizers, having organized several FIS Snowboard World Cup and European Cup events between 2003-2005, including the highly successful competitions in Landgraaf and Rotterdam (NED). Day-to-day sports management know-how collected in his current role as Technical Manager at the Netherlands Ski Association, and previously as Elite Sports Manager at the Netherlands Triathlon Association and as the owner of an event organizing firm, round up Looze’s impressive profile as a multi-faceted sport professional.

“I am very excited about this opportunity and I believe that I will be able to both sustain the on-going development and bring some new ideas to the Nokia Snowboard FIS World Cup”, says Looze and adds: “I am really looking forward to working together with the entire Snowboard family.”

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